Where Are They Now? The Friday 1995 Cast's Shocking 2025 Updates, New Projects, And Tragic Losses

It has been three decades since Ice Cube and DJ Pooh changed comedy forever with the release of Friday in 1995, and as of December 2025, the cast of this iconic stoner comedy continues to make headlines in Hollywood and the music industry. The film, which perfectly captured a slice of life in South Central Los Angeles, launched the careers of several stars and cemented the legendary status of veteran comedians.

From blockbuster movie roles and major comedy tours to new albums and heartbreaking losses, the ensemble cast of Friday remains a fixture in pop culture. The most recent updates for 2025 show that the main players are busier than ever, proving that the film's legacy is far from over. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute look at where the cast of Friday is now.

The Iconic Cast of Friday (1995): A Complete Biography Profile

The success of Friday was built on the chemistry of its diverse and talented ensemble. Here is a look at the main actors who brought the classic film to life, along with their roles:

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• Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Sr.): Played Craig Jones, the recently fired slacker who spends the day trying to get $200 to pay back a drug dealer. Cube was also the co-writer and producer of the film.
• Chris Tucker: Played Smokey, Craig's charismatic, perpetually high friend and partner in misadventure. This role was a breakout for Tucker, leading to his superstardom.
• Nia Long: Played Debbie, Craig's neighbor and love interest, who serves as a voice of reason on the block.
• John Witherspoon: Played Mr. Willie Jones, Craig's hilarious, constantly lecturing father. Witherspoon was a legendary comedian and actor. (Deceased)
• Anna Maria Horsford: Played Mrs. Jones, Craig's soft-spoken, religious mother.
• Regina King: Played Dana Jones, Craig's younger, sassy sister.
• Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr.: Played Deebo, the neighborhood bully and antagonist. Lister was a professional wrestler and actor. (Deceased)
• Faizon Love: Played Big Worm, the menacing drug dealer Smokey owes money to.
• Anthony Johnson: Played Ezal, the eccentric, crack-addicted neighbor. (Deceased)
• Bernie Mac: Played Pastor Clever, the neighborhood preacher who gets robbed. Mac was a legendary comedian. (Deceased)
• LaWanda Page: Played the Old Lady who witnesses Deebo's theft. (Deceased)
• DJ Pooh (Mark Jordan): Played Red, the friend whose bike Deebo steals. Pooh was also the film's co-writer.

The Main Players: 2025's Blockbuster Moves and New Ventures

The careers of the film's three central stars—Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, and Nia Long—have exploded in the years following Friday, and 2025 is proving to be a landmark year for all of them, blending music, stand-up, and major Hollywood projects.

Ice Cube (Craig Jones): Album, Tour, and Sci-Fi Blockbuster

Ice Cube, the creative force behind the Friday franchise, is showing no signs of slowing down. While fans eagerly await any news on the long-rumored sequel, Last Friday, Cube has been dominating both the hip-hop and film worlds.

In September 2025, the legendary West Coast rapper released his highly anticipated 12th studio album, titled Man Up. The album was preceded by the powerful single "Before Hip Hop," a track that further cemented his status as a cultural truth-teller. To support the new music, Cube announced his massive "Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude" 2025 Headlining Tour, a 22-date North American trek celebrating his extensive career from N.W.A. to his solo work.

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On the film front, Ice Cube is set to star alongside Eva Longoria in a new, highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, War of the Worlds, scheduled for release in 2025. His continued success as an actor, producer, and entrepreneur—including his BIG3 basketball league—demonstrates his enduring influence far beyond the comedy genre he helped define.

Chris Tucker (Smokey): The Stand-Up King's Global Return

After famously turning down a massive $10 million offer to reprise his role as Smokey in the sequel Next Friday, Chris Tucker pivoted his career, focusing on blockbuster action-comedies like the Rush Hour franchise and a return to his roots in stand-up comedy.

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Tucker has been actively touring, bringing his signature high-energy observational humor to stages across the country. In a major announcement, he is scheduled to return to the Encore Theater in Las Vegas in March 2025. His return to the stage with "The Legends Tour 2024" and continued 2025 dates confirms that stand-up remains his true passion, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid comedians in the world.

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Nia Long (Debbie): Stepping into a Biopic Icon's Shoes

Nia Long has maintained a prolific career in film and television since her role as Craig's love interest, Debbie. Her most recent and highly publicized project is a major role in the Lionsgate biopic Michael, the highly anticipated film about Michael Jackson.

Long is set to star as Katherine Jackson, the mother of the King of Pop, a role that is expected to put her firmly in the awards conversation when the film releases in October 2025. In addition to this high-profile project, Long is also working on a new memoir and is starring in the upcoming Netflix romance film Don't Ever Wonder, alongside Larenz Tate. Her consistent work in major projects, including the 2023 Netflix comedy You People, showcases her enduring relevance in Hollywood.

Remembering the Legends: The Cast Members We Lost

A significant part of the Friday cast's story is the unfortunate passing of several of its most beloved comedic and dramatic actors. Their contributions are a major reason the film remains a classic.

• John Witherspoon (Mr. Jones): The beloved comedian and actor passed away on October 29, 2019, at the age of 77. His iconic catchphrases, such as "You got to coordinate!" and "Every day is a good day," are still quoted by fans worldwide. He was a cornerstone of the franchise, appearing in all three films.
• Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr. (Deebo): The intimidating actor and former professional wrestler, who played the neighborhood bully, passed away on December 10, 2020, at age 62. His character Deebo is one of the most memorable antagonists in comedy film history.
• Anthony Johnson (Ezal): The comedian, who played the eccentric neighbor Ezal, passed away in September 2021 at the age of 55.
• Bernie Mac (Pastor Clever): A comedy giant, Bernie Mac passed away tragically in August 2008 at the age of 50. His brief but hilarious scene as the robbery victim Pastor Clever is a masterclass in physical comedy.
• LaWanda Page (Old Lady): Known for her role as Aunt Esther in Sanford and Son, Page passed away in 2002.

The loss of these comedic titans has made the prospect of a final sequel, Last Friday, a bittersweet challenge for Ice Cube, who has publicly acknowledged that the film would not be the same without them.

Beyond the Block: Directors, Drug Dealers, and Family

The supporting cast of Friday has also had remarkable careers, with some achieving Oscar-winning success and others continuing to make headlines with recent events.

Regina King (Dana Jones): Oscar Winner and Acclaimed Director

While she played Craig’s younger sister, Dana, in Friday, Regina King has gone on to become one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood. She is an Academy Award and multiple Emmy Award winner, recognized for her powerful performances in projects like If Beale Street Could Talk and Watchmen.

In 2025, King is set to star in the crime drama Caught Stealing. Furthermore, she has established herself as an acclaimed director, making her feature directorial debut with the highly praised One Night in Miami (2020).

Faizon Love (Big Worm): Controversies and Salary Reveals

Faizon Love, who played the unforgettable drug dealer Big Worm, has been in the news recently. In a shocking update from August 2024, Love was reportedly facing felony assault charges related to an incident earlier that year.

Love also made headlines by revealing the surprisingly low salary he received for his iconic role in the original film—a mere $2,500. Despite the low pay, Love's character remains one of the most quoted and recognized from the franchise, a testament to his performance.

Anna Maria Horsford (Mrs. Jones) and DJ Pooh (Red)

Anna Maria Horsford, who played Craig's mother, continues to be honored for her long career in television, including her roles in Amen and The Bold and the Beautiful. She was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Urban League.

DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the script with Ice Cube and played the character Red, remains a significant force in the industry. A long-time collaborator with Cube, Pooh has directed and produced other films like The Wash and 3 Strikes, and has a decades-long history as a hip-hop producer.